Dial telephone



E. T. NORTON DIAL TELEPHONE Aug. 6, 1929.

Filed Oct. 31, 1925 DEF ABC P E RAT C] F1 INVENTOR BY 1W f? 6&4, lATroRNEY .1M/1.0.5.9. lllllllllllll- Patented Aug. 6, 1929. g

UNITED STATES 1,123,297 PATENTI OFFICE.

,EDITH THIERRY NORTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., NOW BY MARRIAGE EDITH THERRY TANKSLEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRITZ R. FRIEDRICH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DIAL TELEPHONE.

Application nled October 31, 1925. Serial No. 66,007.'

This invention relates to automatic tele- (phone transmitters operated by means of a ial.

One of the objects of the Iinvention is to provide means adapted greatly to simplify the use of a dial telephone in the dark. Another object is to rovide means whereby the legends employed) to compose call numbers are clearly visible at night without the need of extraneous illumination. Another object is to provide an attachmen.' for dial telephones which is simple and inexpensive and which renders convenient the use of the telephone in the dark. Another object is to provide suchan attachment which is dependable and durable. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which are shown one or more of the various'possible embodiments of the several features of this invention,

Figure l is a top plan view of the bottom portion of an automatic dial telephone transmitter showin a form of the invention applied to the ial;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. l showing the parts in enlarged detail;

Figure 4 is a perspective of the device shown in Fig. 1, removed from the telephone;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form;

Figure 6 is a perspective of the construction shown in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section showing another form;

Figure 8 is a plan view of parts employed in the form shown in Fig. 7

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section showing another form, and

Figures 10, 11 and 12 disclose still further modified forms.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 the base 10 of a telephone transmitter equipped with a dial 11 by means of which the automatic switching mechanism is operated to connect the party making a call with the party desired to be reached. The dial 11 is rotatable and, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, it comprises a flat circular disk a plurality of openings 11a therethrough.

The disk is spaced upwardly a short distance from the surface of a casing member 12 projecting upwardly from the base 10.

Each of the openings 11u is adapted to be provided with certain legends in the form of letters or numbers which are placed ordinarily upon the surface of the part l2 and are visible through the respective openings 11a when the dial is iii its position of rest. T o operate the automatic switching mechanism at the central station to obtain a desired number, the dial is rotated in a clockwise direction once for each letter and number consecutively of the call number desired to be reached. This is done ordinarily by placing the finger in the proper opening 11 and thus turning the dial. A stop 13 is provided which serves to limit the rotation of the dial, and a spring returns the dial in counter clockwise direction to its initial position.

If a party wishes to be vconnected with the call number VAN 1345, for example, he will first place the finger in the opening beneath which appears the letter V, then turn the dial in clockwise direction until the finger strikes the stop 13, then remove the finger and permit the dial to turn back under the urge of the spring; this operation will be repeated for each letter and numeral of the call number, placing the finger consecutively in the openings beneath which are the letters A and N and the numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5.

It thus becomes important that the legends associated with the respective openings 11a be readily discernible. Without special provision the telephone cannot be operated properly in the dark. To overcome this difficulty in a practical and effective manner is one of the dominant aims of this invention.

Referring again to Figures 1 and l2 there is shown resting upon the surface of the dial 11 a ring-shaped member 14 which is preferably of a substantiall transparent and yet durable material suc as celluloid. This provided with 'in the cup-shaped member 14a to operate the celluloid disk 14 is providedl with a plurality of cup-shaped depending parts' 14 Corresponding in number to the number of the o nings 11a. The parts 14a depend through tifs openings 11a, as is shown in Figures 2 and 3, their bottom surfaces clearing the surface of the part 12. 0n' the bottom .surfaces of the bases of these cup-shaped celluloid (parts 14 are formed the legends which identify the respective openings 11, The legends, which are illustrated at 15 in Figure 3, are formed with a luminous material such as luminous paint which is visible in the dark. Preferably a black back-ground is provided for the legends as is shown at 16 in Figure 3. This black back-ground may comprise a suitable black paint or other black material which will adhere to the surface of thev celluloid.

The luminous legendsl are readily visible in the dark from above the dial. The legends are clearly seen through the substantially transparent Celluloid and the celluloid prevents Contact of the finger with the luminous material when the finger is inserted dial. Danger of rubbing ofi1 or smearing the luminous material forming the legends is thus avoided, and the dial may be operated in the usual manner. It will be understood, of course that, if desired, the back-ground 16 may he of luminous material and the le ends 15 may be formed in black.

he Celluloid ring 14 is preferably formed in one integral piece. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, there is provided in the ring aradial slot 17. In order to place the celluloid ring in position upon the dial, the ring is placed upon the top of the dial with the slot 17 in registry with the stop 13. The dial 11 is then turned in counter-Clockwise direction until the openings 11a register with the respective cup-shaped parts 14a, whereupon the cup-shaped parts will drop into the openings. The dial isthen allowed to return to normal position under the urge of its spring, the celluloid disk passing beneath the stop f 13. The celluloid disk cannot be removed until the dial is again rotated to bring the slot 17 in registry with the stop 13. The stop 13 thus locks the Celluloid ring 14 in place upon the dial.-

To further aid 'in locating the dial in the dark, a coating of luminous paint may be applied to the under surfacev of thering 14'- the cups in the openings. The appearance of the luminous legends upon the black background secured to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped celluloid members is well illustrated in Figure 5. As has been pointed out, the legends of luminous material are clearly visible in the dark and are protected by the celluloid from Contact With the finger or any instrument Which may be employed to turn the dial.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is showny another modication. In this form, the legends are formed of luminous paint upon a flatv ring 20 of black material. This ring 20'may, for example, be of a strong cardboard or a suitable fabric painted black. The ring is split as shown at 21 in order that it ma be slipped into place over the part 12L1 o the telephone and into position upon the surface of the part 12, as shown in Figure 7.

When adjusted in position so that the legends properly register with the openings 11a, the ring is secured to the surface of the part 12, as, for example, by a suitable adhesive, In this form of the invention the celluloid ring 14 or the individual Celluloid cups 19 are employed to protect theluminous legends.

In the Vembodiment shown in Figure 9, therey is provided a ring 16 of a suitable black material in which the legends are stencilled out, the stencils being filled with the luminous material 15. Over these parts is applied a fiat ring 22 of celluloid to protect the luminous paint. In Figure 10 the luminops legends 15 are formed upon the surface of a ring 23 of black material which is adapted to be secured to the surface of the part 12 of the telephone. Over the luminous legends is molded a coating 24 of a suitable transparent gelatin or other transparent material which serves to protect the luminous paint. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12 the fiat ring 25 of celluloid is employed instead of the plastic material shown in Figure 10. In Figure 11 the luminous legends are formed upon the bottom surface of a fiat celluloid ring 26 and are covered with a suitable black paint or similar material 27.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there. are herein provided attachments for dial telephones whichembody the features of this invention and attain the objects thereof including important practical advantages. The devices illustrated are simple and inexpensive-and Conveniently placed in operation.4 The luminous legends make possible the eiiicient use of the telephone in the dark and at the same time the luminous material employed is protected against damage or deterioration as the telephone is used.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many Changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting Sense.

I claim as my invention:

l. An attachment for. automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, a device adapted to be inserted in said openings and adapted to be supported by said dial and to rotate therewith, and having formed thereon in luminous paint so as to be visible in the dark a suitable mark to identify the opening in which it is inserted, said device having means for protecting` said luminous paint from engagement by the finger as said dial is operated.

2. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, a device having a cup-shaped part adapted to be inserted in an opening of said dial and adapted to be supported by said dial and to rotate therewith, said cup-shaped part having on the under side of the bottom thereof legends for identifying said opening, said legend being formed of luminous material and the bottom of said cup-shaped member being transparent so that said legends are visible from above said dial and in the dark.

3. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped device formed of transparent material adapted to rest upon said dial and having depending cup-shaped portions adapted to rest in said openings in said dial, and legends formed on the under side of the bottoms of said cup-shaped portions, said legends being formed of luminous material so that they are visible in the dark from above said dial and through the transparent material of said cup-shaped portions.

4. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped. device formed of transparent material adapted to rest upon said dial and having depending cup-shaped portions adapted to rest in said openings in said dial, legendsformed on the under side of the bottoms of said cup-shaped portions, and a black back-ground formed about said legends, said legends being formed of luminous material so that they are visible in the dark from above said dial and throu h the transparent material of said cup-s aped portions.

5. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped device adapted to be positioned upon said dial to rotate therewith havin formed therein in luminous paint legen s for identifying each of said openings and having meansfor positioning said device sol that said legends are visible through their respective openings from above said dial, and having means for shielding said legends from engagement by the Iinger as said dial is operate 6. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality of openings therein and having a sto adapted to be engaged by the inger to limit the rotation of said dial, comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped device adapted to be positioned upon said dial having formed thereon in luminous paint legends for identifying each of said openings and having means for positioning said device so that said legends are visible through their respective openings from above said dial, and having means for shielding said legends from engagement by the finger as said dial is operated, said device being adapted to rest loosely upon said dial land being held in place by said stop.

7. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a dial with a plurality oli' openings therein and having a sto adapted to be engaged by the inger. to limit the rotation of said dial, comprising, in combination, a ring-shaped device formed of transparent material adapted to rest upon said dial and having depending cup-shaped portions adapted to rest in said openings in said dial, and legends formed on the under side of the bottoms of said cup-shaped portions, said legends being formed of luminous material so that they are visible in the dark from above said dial and through the transparent material of said cup-shaped portions, said device, being adapted to rest loosely upon said dial and being held in place by said stop.

8. An attachment for automatic telephone transmitters having a finger wheel with a plurality of openings therein comprising, in combination, means forming a dark background visible through said openings from above said inger wheel, legends on said background for each of said openings and formed from a luminous material so as to be visible in the dark, and transparent protective means mounted upon said finger wheel to rotate therewith to prevent rubbing of said luminous material by the finger in operating said finger wheel.

9. In a dialling device for automatic telephones, in combination, a finger wheel having a plurality of openings therein, each opening having a substantially circular side wall extending thereabout, means extending across the lower portions of said side wall and forming an opaque background visible from above said iinger wheel, a legend on the background of said means and formed from a luminous material so as to be visible in the dark, and transparent protective means extending across the lower ortions of said side wall and above said egends to prevent rubbing of said luminous material by the. finger in operating said iinger wheel.

10. In a dialling device for automatic telephones, in combination, means forming a finger wheel with a pluralit of fingerreceiving depressions therein or effecting rotation of said Wheel, each depression including means forming an opaque background visible from above said finger Wheel, a legend on said background for each of said depressions and formed from a luminous material so as to be visible in the dark,

4and each depression including transparent said device and dial to rotate together and to substantially close said openings, a legend formed of luminous material so as to be visible in the dark and carried by each of said cu -shaped portions so as to be visible from a ove said device, each of said cupshaped portions being of a size to substantially receive a finger-end to rotate said device and dial.I

12. In a diallin device for automatic telephones, in com ination, rotatable ringsliaped dialling means having a plurality of openings therein, each of a size to substantially receive a finger of the hand for rotating said means, and cup-like members for closing said openings, each of said members depending from said means and carrying a legend visible from above said means and made of a luminous material so as to be visible in the dark.

13. In a dialling device for automatic telephones, in combination, means forming a nger Wheel having a plurality of depressed portions, each forming an opaque background visible from above said Wheel and cach adapted to substantially receive a linger for rotating said Wheel, and a legend for each of said background-forming portions and made of a luminous material so as to be visible in the dark.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 29th day of October, 1925.

EDITH THERRY NORTON. 

